Companies can't be trusted: Chesters

The member for Bendigo in Victoria hit out at business while urging the government to consider toughening labour market testing laws for employers hiring overseas workers.

"We know we cannot trust the companies to employ Australians first ... just like we cannot trust the companies to give Australians a pay rise just because they're making record profits," Ms Chesters told parliament.

Proposed migration laws passed through the lower house on Monday night that would allow labour market tests to be set by the minister responsible, Home Affairs Minster Peter Dutton.

Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge said tests would be applied to "nominated positions" and would include the establishment of advertising rules, but he didn't detail what those would be.

Labor's immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann sought to require employers to advertise a job for four weeks to find a qualified Australian before they could look internationally.

That amendment was voted down 68-76 on Monday night and the bill is now expected to go before the Senate on Wednesday.

The proposals would also see employers charged up to $1800 a year for each temporary foreign worker they hire and $5000 for each permanent worker.

Levies would be paid into the Skilling Australians Fund to pay for trade training and apprenticeships.